Abstract: A testing apparatus includes a receiver for holding a plurality of textile samples and an automatic feed mechanism disposed adjacent to the receiver for selectively engaging and removing samples from the receiver and transporting them to a processor where the textile material is processed to produce textile entities in an individualized condition. The entities are then transported to a sensor that produces signals corresponding to characteristics of the entities. A control means detects the presence or absence of a sample in the automatic feed mechanism and controls it accordingly. Analog and digital components analyze the characteristic signals to identify segments of the characteristic signals that correspond to neps, trash and fibers.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for measuring and classifying individual neplike entities in a textile fiber sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fiber sample processor which takes a supply of fiber samples, separates and individualizes the individual entities of the fiber sample and provides the individualized entities to an airflow. The airflow directs the entities through a sensor volume which utilizes electro optical sensors to generate characteristic signals corresponding to the entity passing through the sensor volume. These signals are then analyzed to determine if the entity passing through the sensing volume was a nep and further classify neps by their type. Thus, a neplike entity could be classified as either a polyester nep, a fiber nep or a seed coat fragment and further may be classified as a mature entity or an immature entity.

Abstract: An apparatus for delooping fibers in a fluid flow preferably includes a cyclone for receiving entities from a fiber individualizer and delivering individual fibers to a sensor. The fluid flow rate to the cyclone is set to optimize operation of the individualizer and the flow rate from the cyclone is set to optimize operation of the sensor. A nozzle is provided in the sensor for mechanically delooping the fibers so they are sensed in a straight condition. In addition, electronics associated with the sensor detects sensor signals corresponding to looped fibers and electronically "deloops" the fibers to produce data, such as the actual length of a fiber that was presented to the sensor in a looped condition.

Abstract: A map maker is disclosed in which a physical map is produced by depositing fluid entrained entities, such as cotton fibers, trash and neps, in a pattern on a surface, such as a nylon mesh surface. Each position in the pattern is uniquely associated with data produced by another monitor to provide topological mapping between the data event map and the physical map. In one embodiment, a drive system and computer are used to control the position of a surface relative to a nozzle that deposits the entities on the surface and relative to a camera that scans the map formed on the surface. In the preferred embodiment, the map is planar, but an alternate cylindrical map is shown. Also, an embodiment is shown in which a map maker is incorporated into a carding machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and processing a web of textile materials which includes a plurality of entities including fibers, neps, seed coat fragments and trash. The web is monitored, preferably by an imaging unit, to produce a monitor signal. A computer receives the monitor signal and locates the position of entities of interest and controls a web processor in accordance with the location of the entities. Preferably, the web processor includes ejectors for ejecting entities from the web under the control of the computer. In one embodiment, the web is formed by a sampler and forming apparatus which removes a sample of fibers from a supply and reconfigures it into a desired configuration, such as a web, for being monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed are various needle-based devices for individualizing single fibers and other entities from a fibrous mass, particularly for testing purposes. In one embodiment, an accelerated pin drafting machine has a plurality of combing elements which sequentially pierce a fiber mat and move within a drafting zone with increasing distance between adjacent combing elements. The accelerated pin drafting machine in turn feeds a fiber individualizer. In another embodiment, a comb-like needle sampler is provided which moves past a perforated plate such that portions of fibrous material protruding through the perforations are loaded onto the needle sampler. An elastomer clamping feedroll moves against the needles to clamp the sample, and then rotates to gradually feed fibers from the sampler. As an alternative to the elastomer clamping feedroll, a clamping block presses against the needles, and the needles are slowly retracted to gradually release fibers.

Abstract: Conditioned gas flows are applied at various critical locations in instruments and apparatus for testing and processing textile fibers, such as cotton. In the context of test instruments, a standard test zone environment (which becomes part of the test record) is effected by the introduction of controlled conditioned gas flows directly into a testing zone, including into testing instruments themselves. In the context of processing apparatus, direct control of processing performance parameters is effected by "controlling parameters", which are in turn effected by the application of conditioned gas flows. A plurality of "performance parameters", which may be in conflict with each other, may be controlled in accordance with a predetermined compromise control strategy, carried out by feedback or feedforward control systems implementing modern statistical control approaches.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring trash in a sample of trash particles and fibers includes scales for determining the weight of the sample which is transmitted to a computer. The sample is presented to a sensing volume and an optical sensor produces an output signal corresponding at least to the presence of the trash particle in the sensing volume. In one embodiment, the output signal is the waveform corresponding to light extinction caused by the presence of the particle in the sensing volume. In a second embodiment, image analysis of trash particles in a sensing volume provide output signals corresponding to the size, shape or composition of the particles. The computer receives the weight data and the output signal from the optical sensor and produces output data in the form of a count of at least a portion of the trash particles per unit weight of sample.

Abstract: Single entities such as fibers are delivered one at a time to a fluid stream, and a nozzle orients the entities so that each entity along its length (major dimension) is generally parallel with the direction of fluid flow. The entity then enters a sample region and a sensor senses entity data such as the speed of the entity as it passes through the sample region. A preferred embodiment includes a collimated beam of light and two side-by-side photo detectors positioned to measure light extinction caused by fibers passing through the sample region. Another sensor may be provided to detect light scattered forward at an angle of about forty degrees (40.degree.). The sensor signals are used to generate data that corresponds to such parameters as length, fiber ribbon width, fineness, cross-sectional area, maturity, cross-sectional circularity, shape, surface roughness, etc. Optical filtering provides information about composition (natural or man-made) and appearance (color and polarization).

Abstract: An apparatus for testing fibers includes a single fiber preparation and separation device for separating fibers from a sample of multiple fibers and producing an output of single fibers. A fiber transport means, preferably an air conduit, receives the single fibers and transports them to a removed location where at least one fiber is sampled from the transport means. In the preferred embodiment, the sampler is a hook that is inserted into, and removed from, an air conduit to hook and remove single fibers carried in a stream of air inside the air conduit. A testing apparatus associated with the sampler then determines at least one characteristic of the sampled fiber, such as strength, tension as a function of elongation, or cross sectional characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for testing a specimen sample of fibers includes a frame (22), rotatable drums (60) situated at a first station upon the frame for holding a quantity (86) of fibers, a brush (152) situated at a second station along the frame for brushing the fiber specimen and testing equipment (28) situated at a third station upon the frame for performing a series upon the fiber specimen. A comb (34 or 35) is utilized for gathering the fiber specimen from the quantity of fibers held by the drums, and carriages (122 and 136) are movably mounted upon the frame for transporting the comb between the first, second and third stations of the apparatus. When positioned at the first station, the comb gathers a fiber specimen, and the specimen is carded. When the comb is positioned at the second station, the gathered specimen is brushed by the brush, and when the comb is thereafter moved to the third station, the brushed specimen is tested by the testing equipment.

Abstract: A fiber testing apparatus includes two support members for holding a fiber and a positioning mechanism to facilitate placement of the fiber into engagement with the support members. A translation apparatus moves the two support members apart while a monitor records at least one characteristic of the fiber as it is tensioned. In one embodiment, the two support members are first and second clamps and the positioning apparatus includes first and second suctions oriented to draw the fiber in opposite directions and place the fiber in a substantially linear configuration adjacent to both clamps. In another embodiment, a hook and clamp configuration is utilized, and in yet another embodiment a vacuum groove is employed to facilitate positioning of the fiber.

Abstract: A method for producing multiple fiber data from a plurality of single fiber tests. A plurality of individual fibers are subjected to tension tests such that the individual fibers are elongated tensioned and broken while characteristics of the fiber are monitored. Multiple fiber data are obtained by testing a number of fibers from a sample and superimposing the graphical representation of tensile characteristics of the individual fibers upon one another to obtain a composite representation which constitutes multiple fiber data. Characteristics of individual fibers which may be combined to obtain a composite representation constituting multiple fiber data include such characteristics as tension, elongation and cross-sectional characteristics of the fiber.